Vadeni Takes on Elders Again in Irish Champion

After scoring with the exceptional Almanzor in 2016, Jean-Claude Rouget and Christophe Soumillon know exactly what it takes to win Ireland's premier flat prize.

History could be repeated in this year's Irish Champion Stakes (G1) Sept. 10 as the pair team up with French star Vadeni , who won the Coral-Eclipse (G1) when last seen.

Rouget has been surprised by the 3-year-old's physical development in the 10 weeks since Sandown, and has hinted a much stronger version of the Churchill  colt could be on display at Leopardstown.

Soumillon has already labeled the runaway Qatar Prix du Jockey Club (G1) scorer a "monster," "superstar," and "machine" in recent weeks.

Rouget said: "He'll have to adapt to however the race unfolds. There shouldn't be any more rain on Saturday so I expect the ground to be good to soft, which is fine. It's difficult to have a horse in top form for both York and the Irish Champion and the calendar dictates this is the race to go for."

Nobody has farmed the Irish Champion Stakes like Aidan O'Brien in the race's rich history, and the legendary trainer is responsible for 43% of the field this time as he bids for a record-extending 11th success.

Luxembourg  is the clear captain of this year's Ballydoyle challenge. O'Brien predicted there would be "20 to 30%" improvement to come from the star 3-year-old in the aftermath of his winning return from injury in the Fitzdares Royal Whip Stakes (G3).

"Everything has gone well with Luxembourg since his last start at the Curragh," said O'Brien, who is chasing a fourth consecutive Irish Champion Stakes win.

"He had a good run in the (Qipco) Two Thousand Guineas (G1) before he had his break, and we were delighted with his first start back. We always thought he was going to be a middle-distance horse this year. We're happy with him."

On ground conditions for the Camelot  colt, O'Brien said: "He's a good-moving horse and I think nice ground would suit everybody."

A slow start proved detrimental to the chances of this year's Hardwicke Stakes (G2) winner Broome  when a running-on fourth in the Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer Stakes (G1T) at Saratoga Race Course. 

The 6-year-old's best form is over further, but he does handle an ease in the ground and boasts form figures of 211 at this track.

"Broome came home well on his last start at Saratoga," said O'Brien. "He just missed the break and got back a little bit around a tight track, but we were happy with how he saw his race out. He hasn't done much since he came back but seems to be in good form."

Impressive Derby Trial (G3) winner Stone Age  returns to the scene of his career-best performance after finishing third and fifth in New York grade 1s on his last two outings.

O'Brien said: "Maybe it didn't really suit him in America, he just got caught a little short in both races. Getting back to this track should hopefully suit him. He's in good form and has had a little bit of time since his last run (five weeks ago)."